ANC Western Cape list conference

3 October 2003

Tomorrow the ANC gathers at its Provincial List Conference to take another step in the process towards the election of the ANC`s public representatives in the legislatures of our country -provincial and national.

The provincial list conference follows an extensive process whereby the branches of the ANC had engaged in processes of nominations. They were guided by discussions on the required character of public representatives who figuratively should be people who can pass through the eye of a needle, by virtue of service to the country and the ANC, discipline and selflessness, and free of blemishes, corruption and careerism.

Following this we will go to the national list conference in November where the final elections will take place.

Unlike any other party where a leader selects the public representatives, the ANC follows a most open and democratic process where the membership speaks through their branches. These branches come from all the regions of the ANC, metro and rural, African, Coloured and White.

They are joined by delegates of the alliance, the Youth and Women`s Leagues, and Sasco and Cosas, allied student formations.

All of this ensures that the outcome of the list process is owned by all and public representatives remain accountable to the people of the province, the country and the membership of the ANC.

Such an open process is the strength of the ANC. But by its nature creates some tensions, which arise from logical lobbying processes. These are tensions, which the ANC over the years have learnt to manage. It is natural that our opponents and enemies will try and pounce on these in order to frustrate the ANC`s march to victory in 2004.

They will not succeed because around our march to victory next year, all our cadres are united and will not be provoked to act in ways which will undermine that single goal which positions the ANC to seriously transform the Western Cape into a non-racial and prosperous province.